Original article http://dx.doi.org/10.4322/jms.090015 Variability of the obturator artery with its surgical implications TAJRA, J. B. M.1*, LIMA, C. F.2, PIRES, F. R.2, SALES, L.2, JUNQUEIRA, D.2 and MAURO, E.2 1Departamento de Anatomia, Faculdade de Medicina do Planalto Central, CEP 71215-770, Brasília, DF, Brazil 2Anatomia Médica, Faculdade de Medicina do Planalto Central, CEP 71215-770, Brasília, DF, Brazil *E-mail:
[email protected] Abstract The vascular anatomy of the pelvis has in the retro pubic space one the most dangerous artery variations for the surgical approach. The aim of this study was to evaluate arise from obturator artery and its implications. Eleven specimens were bisected pelvic an adult cadaver. The iliac artery and femoral artery were identified and divided in their branches. The anomalous origin was noted in 22.72% with an anastomotic branch between the external iliac or inferior epigastric vessels found in 13.69%. The right side showed a greater variation than left side with 27.27% versus 18.18%. Our data suggest that retro pubic space has critical vascular variations of the obturator artery with many probabilities of the lesions. Keywords: vascular anatomy, obturador artery, pelvis anatomy. 1 Introduction The retro pubic space has a vascular anatomy that must be The vascular anatomy of the pelvis was dissected together with known to the surgeon to avoid hemorrhagic complications. all the anatomical structures. In this region, the anomalous origin of obturator artery The internal iliac artery was identified and divided in yours (OA) and its variations are the main etiology of bleeding trunks anterior and posterior.